Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen

ifa blog

Interviews, essays, reports and videos

The ifa blog takes a lively look at the many different areas of ifa's work and international cultural relations.

The blog articles can be filtered by topic, such as human rights, civil society, media, and (post-)colonialism, as well as by contributions from ifa's individual projects, such as exhibition funding, the Martin Roth Initiative's protection programme or the CrossCulture programme.

Blog Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wears a black trouser suit. She smiles as she walks through a group of children in a corridor. She is accompanied by a young woman in a costume with glasses. Both look at two little girls to their right. The girls are wearing red velvet costumes decorated with golden ornaments. In the background are people holding small flags of Germany and Uzbekistan.

What does foreign cultural policy mean? Answers to the key questions (1)

By Joachim Staron

Foreign policy is a familiar term — but what is foreign cultural policy? According to current understanding, what sounds like a nice little extra for do-gooders has a tangible impact on how relations develop between countries and cultures around the world. In this article, Joachim Staron explains how.
Blog [Translate to english:] Eröffnung der Tourneeausstellung "Fragile" von Wolfgang Tillmans in Lagos: in einem hellen Raum stehen Menschen verteilt und blicken auf Tische vor sich. Die Menschen sind schwarz. Auf den Tischen liegen verschiedene Objekte aus der Fotografie-Ausstellung von Wolfgang Tillmans, man erkennt nicht genau was. An der Wand ist eine große Fotografie einer blauen Welle. © Goethe-Institut Nigeria

What does foreign cultural policy mean? More answers (2)

By Joachim Staron

Does "foreign cultural policy" automatically mean exporting culture and cultural colonialism? In this article, Joachim Staron explains how foreign cultural policy came about and addresses the key issues that arise again and again in connection with it. He also takes a look at the future development of foreign cultural policy.
Essay Glass globe with the Himalayas and petroglyphs

In the Heights of the Himalayas

By Fidel Devkota

Melting glaciers, heavy rain, landslides on one side, drought on the other. In the heights of the Himalayas, climate change is particularly noticeable. And it is increasingly threatening newly discovered cultural monuments. What can be done?
Interview A woman plays theater.

From, For & About the People – Community Theatre Today

Interview with Relebohile Mabunda

For a long period of time, much focus and resources have been placed on mainstream theatre while community theatre responsible for the social development of the community continues to be marginalized.
Specialist Article Illustration: Hands pull apart a power cable with plug.

The Western Balkans: The Genesis of the Frozen Conflict Lines

By Beqë Cufaj

How can Europe learn from the experiences of recent decades in the Western Balkans? First of all, through an analysis of what happened, the genesis of the frozen lines of conflict in the former Yugoslavia. On this basis, the European Union and its Member States should develop a coherent foreign, development, security and migration policy.
Blog The photo shows the environmental activists in Brazil, members of Canal Novo Mundo and One Earth One Ocean. In front of the activists posing on a beach are full garbage bags. The photo is from the series of environmental actions organized by Thaine Maciel in Brazil.

Voices of Climate Activism: Perspectives from Brazil and Bangladesh

Interview with Thaiane Maciel and Syed Muntasir Ridwan

Thaiane Maciel from Brazil and Syed Muntasir Ridwan from Bangladesh, both CCP alumni, are climate activists who founded their respective organisations while still at university. CCP alumnus Max Jean-Louis from Haiti talked to them about the climate movements in their countries, the sensitivity of climate activism and the involvement of indigenous perspectives
Essay Illustration: The globe lies on the spine of a book and a spotlight shines on it.

Speechless into the Future

By Amitav Ghosh

Does Western literature steer clear of climate change? Indian writer Amitav Ghosh calls on authors in the West to take climate change more into account in novels. There is still no world novel on climate change.
Essay Illustration: People form a network.

Togetherness In The Time Interplay

By Carlos Alvarado Quesada

Given the interconnectedness of our world today, as evident during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as other global conflicts, clinging to the "Us versus Them" perspective might offer temporary benefits for some. However, it fails to encompass the long-term consequences that cannot be contained to safeguard a select few, says our author and former president of Costa Rica.
Specialist Article Illustration: European flag as a puzzle with missing puzzle pieces and Balkan map.

Addressing the EU’s Credibility Gap in the Western Balkans

By Jasmin Mujanović

The EU’s standing in the Western Balkans has reached a low point: few and increasingly fewer citizens still trust in the bloc’s purported commitments to promoting peace, democracy, or the rule of law, and hardly anyone believes that membership is on the horizon for any of these states. What can be done to regain trust?